What is 4/8 - 1/6?

Here's how to subtract 1/6 from 4/8:

4

8

−

1

6

Step 1

We can't subtract two fractions with different denominators. So you need to get a common denominator. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 4 by 6, and get 24.

Then we multiply 1 by 8, and get 8.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 8 × 6 = 48.

So now our fractions look like this:

24

48

−

8

48

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

24 − 8 = 16

So the answer is:

16

48

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

16

48

÷ 2 =

8

24

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

8

24

÷ 2 =

4

12

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

4

12

÷ 2 =

2

6

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it: